
NASIUM 
CONSTRUCTION 




NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY 
PROVIDENCE, R.I., U.S. A, 





GYMNASIUM 

CONSTRUCTION 




NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY 

PROVIDENCE, R. L, U. S. A. 



Chicago 
1504 Monadnock Block 



New York 
52 Vanderbilt Ave. 



Copyright 1919 







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FOREWORD 

YMNASTIC apparatus has probably been installed 
in every type of building, from the basement of 
^J a dwelling to the most spacious armory. In many 
of these improvised gymnasia, the apparatus is installed and 
used under most severe difficulties, due to the inappropriate 
structural features of the building. These limitations should 
never be tolerated in a building designed as a gymnasium. 
Any style of exterior architecture may be used, but if wholly 
successful results are to follow, the inside structural details 
should be arranged to allow the most advantageous use of 
gymnastic equipment. 

It is the particular purpose of this presentation to show 
the principles of construction which harmonize with equip- 
ment requirements,, and to outline, in general, various other 
essential building features. 



2 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. 




NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PAN Y, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 



SCOPE. 

The planning of a building, to be used exclusively or in 
part for modern physical training, should be preceded by a 
careful study of the following subjects: 

I. Main Gymnasium. 
II. Running Track. ' 

III. Auxiliary Exercise and Game Rooms. 

A. Special Exercise Room. 

B. Storage Room. 

C. Wrestling, Boxing and Fencing. 

D. Hand Ball Courts. 

IV. Department Offices. 

A. General Office. 

B. Director's Private Office. 

C. Examination Room. 

D. Club and Library Room. 
V. Locker Rooms. 

A. Division of Locker Space. 

B. Various Locker Systems. 

C. Standard Locker Sizes. 

D. Women's Dressing Rooms. 
VI. Baths. 

A. General Requirements. 

B. Women's Special Requirements. 
VII. Natatorium. 

VIII. Toilet Rooms. 

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT. 

No fixed rule can be established for the arrangement and rela- 
tion of various rooms and facilities. Accessibility, proximity, cor- 
relation and supervision for related activities are essential. As 
each building presents its own peculiar possibilities and limitations, 
a careful study and analysis of each plant is necessary. 

The following general relationships, however, are advisable : 
The locker rooms should be as close as possible to the gym- 
nasium. Necessary connecting passage ways should be 
short and convenient. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY. PROVIDENCE. R. I 



The bath rooms should open from the locker rooms, 
ng. if possible, as the passaf en the locker 

rooms and natatorium. Under* no circumst:. :»uld 

there be baths in the natatorium. The bath and locker 
rooms and natatorium should be on the same floor. The 
main gymnasium, auxiliary exercise rooms and the Direc- 
-hould all be on one floor. All rooms should 
have all the light, sunshine and ventilation possible. 
A gymnasium building, or physical department, combining the 
following structural details will fulfil the wide range of modern 
ements and avoid the ordinary faults. 

I. MAIN GYMNASIUM. 
The acknowledged importance of physical education demands 
an attractive ma:: :ng room of adequate size and proportion. 

3uld have ample natural light and ventilation. It should be 
free from all obstructions, such as supporting columns, pilas 

windows and radiators, projecting ventilation conti 
Such stairways, sliding poles, etc., as may be nee .ould be 

located in the corners of the room, and all doors should be made to 
open outward. 

A careful survey of capacity requiren. 

:i of the lm room size. There should 

be an all s ;uare feet of floor space for each ind 

aller allotment will be found inadequate for all recog- 

e room should be rectrr The 

ould be approxima: 

Iength may be arbitr led. 

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NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 



22 feet. When building construction compels a girder 
height in excess of 22 feet above the floor, expensive and 
unsightly suspended pipe frames are necessary to afford 
attachment for suspended apparatus. 

The height from the floor to the under side of galleries 
or tracks should not be less than. 10 feet and not more than 
12 feet. Any departure from this height range means a 
corresponding loss of efficiency in that part of the equip- 
ment which of necessity must be located under, or attached 
to, such galleries or tracks. 

The height from the floor to center of apparatus 
wall board (hereinafter described) should be exactly 5 
feet. Any variation in this measurement involves delay 
and limited results in an important class of equipment. 

Height from floor to window sills should be at least 
5 feet 6 inches. This is minimum ; 8 feet is preferable. 
The lower sills of windows located on track or gallery 
levels should be not less than 3 feet above the highest point 
of the track bank. 

Exposed radiators, heating- coil?, ventilating conduits, 
etc., should be at least 8 feet above the floor. 

Height to top of wood wainscoting should be not less 
than 5 feet 6 inches; 6 to 8 feet is preferable. (See 
Fig. 2.) 



FLOOR. Because of heavy loads and vibration resulting 
from concerted running and jumping, it is highly advisable to see 
-that the gymnasium floor is extraordinarily strong and durable. If 
there is moisture or dampness, (from baths or natatorium) rising 
from the story below the gymnasium, the floor should be very care- 
fully water-proofed against such moisture. This is particularly 
important if the floor is below grade with no story or rooms between 
same and the ground. If the latter situation cannot be avoided, a 
liberal system of tile drainage should be laid in the ground under 
such floor, and additional lines of drain tile should be carried around 
outside of the foundation walls. Serious trouble has resulted 
through the lack of proper attention to this important detail. Sound 
proofing should also receive attention, if gymnasium noise is to be 
minimized. 



6 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PAN Y. PROVI DENCE, R. I, 



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: ii. I requirements. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I 



If the supporting or sub-floor is concrete, the top nailing strips 
or sleepers should be spaced not more than 16 inches center to cen- 
ter; 10 to 14-inch spacing will be found better. Such sleepers 
should be wire tied to the concrete floor to prevent buckling, and to 
provide necessary resistance against a vertical lifting tension ex- 
erted by some pieces of gymnastic apparatus. 

Before the finished floor is laid, a rough board floor of pine or 
other suitable, well-seasoned lumber should be securely nailed to the 
sleepers or joists. This rough floor should be laid diagonally. The 
top or finished floor should consist of high grade standard rock 
maple, blind bored and end matched. It should be clear and 
straight-grained, and laid lengthwise over building paper. There 
are other possible top floor materials, but they involve doubtful 
factors and cannot be recommended. If the above so-called double 
floor is not used, the single or top floor should be at least 1 1-2 inch 
thick and the ends of all pieces of flooring should "break" directly 
over the centers of sleepers or joists. An ordinary 7-8 inch single 
floor is inadvisable as it does not leave sufficient stock for screw 
holds after necessary apparatus floor plates are countersunk or set 
flush with the top of the floor. 

After all other work in the gymnasium is finished, the floor should 
be sanded or scraped smooth and clean, and a light coat of raw 
linseed oil applied. Best results are secured if the oil is put on at 
or near the boiling point. To accomplish this ? a good-sized metal 
pail or can and a small portable oil stove will be found convenient. 
The oil should be brushed on with the grain of the floor (in 10 or 
12-foot square areas at a time) and the surplus rubbed off before it 
gets cold. In a prominent gymnasium recently built, excellent re- 
sults were secured by immersing in hot oil (and well rubbing) each 
separate piece of flooring. The oil was placed in a narrow "V- 
shaped" metal trough and heated by gas flames rising from a per- 
forated horizontal pipe under same. 

For keeping a properly finished floor in good condition, clean- 
liness is the first essential. Frequent polishing by means of a 
weighted, rough carpet covered box is effective. It should never 
be scrubbed with soap and water. Any floor treatment producing 
a highly polished, slippery finish, is dangerous in a gymnasium and 
should be carefully avoided. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 



WALLS. Gymnasium wall material and construction should 
be determined from the standpoint of requirements for attachment 
of apparatus, durability and smoothness of interior finish. Any 
solid wall construction, such as ordinary brick, concrete, or heavy 
studding I frame construction) fulfills the demands for appar 
attachment. Tile and all forms of hollow construction arc not 
Factory. This applies to partition as \\cll as t<» outside wall-. 
The inside wall finish to a height of at least 6 or 8 feet above the 
finished floor should he hard, solid, and smooth. Hard pressed <>r 
glazed brick (light color preferable) are ideal for this purpose. 
Smooth cement and wood wainscoting on solid wall backing are 
satisfactory. Ordinary lath and plaster will not stand gymnasium 
requirements and should never he used. 1 1" wood wainscoting is 
preferred it will not be strong enough for the requirements of ap 
paratus attachment unless securely anchored to the wall. V 




v.. Wainscoted Walls. Special vrftU attachment li required tc pro 
N j,] ( . , ii/tii. Note double Boor conetruetlon and angle Iron 

bane. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. 



strength for this purpose is probably best secured by first bolting at 
4-foot intervals, (not nailing) extra heavy grounds direct to the 
wall. One of these grounds should be 7 or 8 inches wide and should 
be set exactly 5 feet to center above the finished floor. Such a 
ground will take the place of an exposed apparatus or wall board. 
If the wainscoting extends to a height of 7 feet 6 inches or more, 
there should be another 6-inch ground bolted to the wall, 7 feet to 
center above the floor. Such attached wainscoting will prove very 
serviceable. (See Fig. 2.) 

For interior walls of any finish, except the above described wains- 
coting, an apparatus wall board 8 inches wide by 1 1-4 to 1 1-2 
inches thick, located 5 feet to center above the finished floor, should 
be' provided. It should extend entirely around the room, and must 
be securely bolted to the wall. Anchor bolts should be spaced at 
intervals of from 3 to 4 feet. The heads of bolts should be flush 
with the face of the board. (See Fig. 3.) 

In view of the weight and necessary design of iron bases for port- 
able apparatus, the use of an ordinary wood base or wash board is 
not advisable. As such iron bases will chip and cut out even brick 
and cement, a 1-4 inch by 3 to 4- inch metal base strip (extending 
all' around the room) is recommended (see Fig. 3.) A 2 by 4-inch 
angle iron produces a neater and more sanitary corner. The lower 
or horizontal leg of the angle should not exceed 2 inches (see 
Fig. 2). 




Fig. 3. Apparatus Wall Board. A flat iron base plate serves the same 
purposes as the angle iron base. 



1 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I 



WINDOWS, and OTHER WALL INTERRUPTIONS. 
With all due regard for the need of ample natural light and ventila- 

. gymnasium window- should In* located with reference to ap- 
paratus requirements. From the standpoint of gymnasium m 

there is no demand for windows lower than <> feet from the floor to 
the lower sill. In fact, windows lower than this are a detriment. 
They require heavier than ordinary wire guard protection, produce 
objectionahle glare from sunlight and cause dangerous draft- when 
opened for ventilating- purposes. Besides, they constitute a limita- 
tion to the proper placing- of wall apparatus. For gymnasia having 
running tracks from io feet to 12 feet above the floor, a clear wall 
height of 8 feet from floor to window sills fulfills all apparatus 
qnirements and leaves an available window area of from 2 to 4 
feet below the track. This, in addition to the unrestricted window- 
area above the track level, has proven adequate and i> recognized 
as best practice. For gymnasia without running tracks or galK 
there is a greater opportunity for proper window arrangement in 
keeping with apparatus requirements as above stated. 

The one exception to this window height rule is the window be- 
tween the Physical Director's office and the gymnasium floor. This 
window slmnld be low enough to give the Director a view of the 
gymnasium floor while seated at his desk. 

All gymnasium windows require removable wire screens or 
guards. The closer the windows are to the floor, the heavier the 
screens must be. If possible, guards should be so made and at- 
tached a- to permit the opening of windows without removing or 
Opening the screens. I nle^< window- are kept 8 feet above the 
floor, there will be difficulty in operating both windows and screens 
behind such wall apparatus as Stall Bars. 

If sufficient light and ventilation cannot be obtained from 
s, tin- possibility of skylights should be considered. If over- 
head light is necessary, the monitor type of roof i> preferable, a- it 
produ glare and heat than flat skylights. 

'1 here- should be no more doors in a gymnasium than necessary, 
and go far a- possible, they should be made to swing "in rather than 
into the room. 

\ most excellent sanitary development i- the practice of instail- 

ing a drinking fountain and one Or more fountain CUSpidors. Such 

should be 6i the recessed wall type and should be la 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I 11 



close to, or in the corners of the room. As a rule one drinking 
fountain is sufficient, but it is advisable to have a cuspidor at each 
end of the gymnasium. 

If electric switch cabinets and similar wall obstructions cannot 
be avoided, they should be recessed and kept as close as possible to 
the corners of the room. The corners of wall projections — such as 
pilasters, doorways, etc., should have a generous round. 

Wall radiators and heating coils should be so installed as to leave 
all walls clear to a point at least 6 feet above the floor ; 8 feet would 
be better. Radiators should not be set on the floor unless recessed 
(preferably under windows). For such recesses, strong guards 
should be provided to prevent accidental contact. Radiators or 
coils attached to the under side of gallery are satisfactory, but they 
should be kept high enough to afford ample clearance for gym- 
nastic activities. All exposed steam risers should be well covered 
and protected to a height of at least 6 feet above the floor. 

The above wall restrictions for radiators apply also to outlets 
and conduits for ventilating purposes. However, flush ventilator 
grills are not objectionable if they do not extend lower than 6 or 8 
inches, or higher than 4 feet above the floor. Regardless of the 
necessity for ventilation and plenty of it, there is no good place in 
a gymnasium for large exposed conduits. 

The gymnasium should be kept at a temperature of between 65 
and 70 degrees F. During exercises of extreme activity, the lower 
temperature will be found preferable. The question of heating and 
ventilating systems should receive very careful consideration. Both 
are technical subjects and should be so treated by specialists in these 
lines. 

The subject of wall construction and interior finish has been 
thus detailed in the hope that it may lead to a clearer appreciation 
of a frequently misunderstood or neglected phase of gymnasium 
construction. Although most wall apparatus attachments occur in 
a zone or area of from 5 to 8 feet above the floor, the construction 
should permit attachment at any point. Some of the pieces of 
regular equipment requiring wall attachment at points higher than 
8 feet are : 

Swinging (or wall-hinged) booms, depending on type, 8 ft. 8 in. 
to 9 ft. 5 in. above floor. 



12 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY. PROVIDENCE, R. I, 



Striking Bag Drum, 8 feet 4 incl 
Triplex Pulley Weights, to to [2 feet, 
[ntercostal Chest Weights, 10 to u feet. 

Adjustable Ladders, 15 feet. 

Voile) Ball Net c leats, S ft. 6 inches. 

Backstops for Basket Ball Goals, «; ft. ami 13 ft. above iluor. 

Furthermore, pulleys of various shapes and sizes for control- 
ling and hoisting su>pended apparatus must be attached to the 
walls at heights corresponding to points of attachment for such 
apparatus. A change of Physical Directors or the inauguration 
of a new policy may require the installation of a type or quan- 
tity of equipment not anticipated at the time the gymnasium is 
built. It is therefore advisable to so construct the walls that 
they will meet attachment requirements at any point or height. 

CEILINGS AND OVERHEAD BEAMS. The following 

consideration is intended to cover ceilings and beams only in their 
relation to the requirements for the attachment of suspended ap- 
paratus. Xo gymnasium, however beautiful, symmetrica] or oth- 
erwise well appointed, can be a success unless the overhead con- 
struction provides necessary facilities for apparatus attachment. 
Ceilings, like walls, should be kept free from all obstructions such 
as ventilating conduits, radiation, or other extensive pipe sys- 
tems. Most types of ordinary overhead construction, flat ceiling or 
beams (spaced not more than approximately 18 feet apart 1 fulfill or 
ran be adapted to gymnasium requirements. If expensive suspended 
pipe frames are to be avoided, it is necessary FIRST to see that the 
beams, or points of attachment for suspended apparatus, are not too 
high above the floor, (see Fig. 1.) and SECOND, that they are 
horizontal in extent (i. e. parallel to the floor), and have a common 
level. 

All forms of overhead construction are divided into two class 
first tho^ which do not require advance or special preparation for 
apparatus attachment, and second, those which lx >. Tin- following 
nstitute the FIRST CLASS. 

A. Open to the roof trusses, or girders, (steel or wood) spaced 
no' more than t8 feet apaii and not fireproof or otherwise 

ed. In overhead construction of this kind, the I 
members of trusses (and "deep" girders) must be well - 
bra 1 and 7). 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. i, 13 




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Fig. 4. An Examp.e of Ideal Interior Construction. Note longitudinal 
beams connecting and stiffening trusses. 



14 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PAN Y. PROVI DENCE, R. I, 



B. Wood <>r plastered ceilings (attached direct to wood joists) 

with projecting, uncovered cross beams. (See Fig 5 

C. Flat (wood or plastered) ceilings having no projecting beams 

or girders,— provided such ceilings are attached direct to cross 
beams and reasonably heavy wood joists. 

The expression "attached direct to beams or wood joists*' is used 
in connection with above ceiling- "B" and "C to direct attention to 
the necessity for such ceiling construction as compared to false or 
suspended ceilings which cannot be used for apparatus attachment. 

The above types of construction need no advance al provi- 

sion provided proper height and common level requirements have 
been fulfilled. Attachment clips and fittings for "open" steel beams 
are shown in Fig. 6. 




A Good Type of Overhead Construction. Exposed beams greatl) 
simplify the attachment of suspended apparatus, 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 15 



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Fig. 6. A Few Standard Beam Fittings. For exposed beams of ordinary 
size and construction, the clamp principle is the safest and simplest. We 
carry a large variety of malleable iron clamps and fixtures. 



16 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PAN Y, PROVI DENCE, R. I 




BASEMENT PLAN ' A 

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FIRST PLOOR PLAN 



Building Outline Showing ;• Gymnasium for Men or ; 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 17 

















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Fig. 7B. Suitable for small schools and colleges. The proportions and 
principles here illustrated will permit of expansion for requirements of 
greater size. 



18 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY. PROVIDENCE, R. I. 



SEO >ND CLASS. The following forms of overhead construc- 
tion involve difficulties of more <>r less gravity unles I as 
hereaftei 

A. 1 — Fire proofed (or otherwise enclosed), and reinforced con- 

crete beam-, projecting below ceiling level. To provide 
for apparatus attachment at any point on beams of this 
type, a standard 3-inch pipe or corresponding beam 

should be carried under each enclosed girder from wall to 
wall, or between gallery supporting rods if such rods in- 
tervene. For the treatment of such beams. 1 between 18 
and 22 feet above the gymnasium floor), see ind 9. 

2 — If the height to girders is more than 22 feet, the attachment 
pipes must be suspended to a point not exceeding that 
height. In such case-, the suspended pipe frame must be 
securely sway braced by longitudinal pipe lines, or corre- 
sponding provision. (See Fig. 10). 

3 — li the height under beams is less than 18 feet, suspended 
apparatus should be attached to the ceiling. Unless such 
ceiling is attached direct to reasonably heavy wood joists, 
provision should be made during construction for carry- 
ing a 3-inch pipe or other exposed apparatus beam, 
from wall to wall. (See Fig. El). 

B. 1 — Flat, or irregular, fire-proofed or concrete ceilings should 

be provided with hangers or inserts to support 3-inch 
pipes or beams (from wall to wall). Such attachment 
beams should be spaced from 15 to 18 feet apart. 
Fig. 12). 
2 — If the height to such ceiling exceed- 22 feet, provision 
should be marie during construction for suspending a pipe 
attachment frame a- indicated above under A.-2. 
a No Fig. 10 J. 

False or suspended ceilings (having no projecting beams) can- 
not be • IL Apparatus must be carried by a pipe frame 
or gridiron suspended from trusses or girders above such 
suspended ceiling. The pipe frame requirements are the same 
shown in Fig. 10. In this type of construction all horizon- 
tal line- of pipe in the gridiron should DC extended to walls 

and otherwise very carefully sway braced to prevent m 

inent in any direction. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 19 



D. In double gallery construction (see Fig. 13) a suspended pipe 
gridiron is imperative. All horizontal lines of the pipe 
frame should extend and be attached to the face of the track 
or upper gallery. 
Arched and sloping ceilings, beams or trusses involve unwar- 
ranted complication and should be avoided in gymnasium construc- 
tion. Trusses having lower members composed of round tie rods 
or bars cannot be used for apparatus attachment. 

The size of pipe used for apparatus attachment is uniformly 
standard 3-inch. 

(We furnish, without charge, specific pipe frame plans or direc- 
tions for locating pipe hangers or inserts, on receipt of architect's 
plans showing necessary structural data.) 

ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING. Experience to date suggests 
tungsten or nitrogen lamps, single or in clusters. As most sus- 
pended apparatus must be attached to the beams, the under side 
or lower flange of same should, therefore, be kept free from elec- 
tric lights and conduits. The most desirable location for lights is 
on the ceiling between the beams, where they offer least obstruction 
and can be best protected by strong, hinged or detachable guards. 
Lights under the gallery should, if possible, be recessed into the 
under gallery ceiling or placed directly behind the gallery face. (See 
Figs. 17, 18 and 19.) 



20 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PAN Y, PROVI DENC E. R. 




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[f the ceiling beams are con- 
crete, li reproofed or otherwise 
enclosed, an apparatus pipe 
(standard 3 in.) beam, as here 
shown, should be attached to 
each girder. There should be 
a space of 2 in. between the 
: the pipe and the bot- 
tom of the beam. Inserts (in- 
dicated by •"X" ) for attaching 
_^^ H ^^^ H ^^^ HBHB ^^^^ HHM J. Mich pipe beams should be 

placed during building con- 
struction. All attachment fittings should be malleable iron or mild steel 
An assortment of our stock fittings is shown in Fig. 9. 

In buildings having flat concrete or false ceilings, without projecting 
girder>. the same pipe beam plan should be provided. 





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Typical Situation Pipe Beams for Attaching Suspended A 

building in whii'li tin- oeil 1 height it 

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NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 21 




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Fig. 9. Standard Fittings and Methods recommended for attaching appa- 
ratus beams to concrete and enclosed girders. 



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NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE. R. I. 



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3 :':., intermediate pipe 
frame supports (ind 

-ketch as "A" 

method of attaching long- 
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NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I, 23 




In this case the girders are 
lower than permissible for 
suspended equipment. Appa- 
ratus pipe indicated as "A" or 
other beams (see Fig. 9) at- 
tached to higher beams or di- 
rect to the ceiling, are sug- 
gested to avoid the low girder 
limitations. If the beams to 
which apparatus pipe is to be 
attached, are concrete or en- 
closed, inserts for pipe support 
should be placed during build- 
ing construction; this provision applies also if the apparatus pipe is to be 
attached to a flat ceiling in the event that such ceiling is concrete. 

Inserts or hangers for supporting pipe beams should be spaced from 8 ft. 
to 10 ft. apart. All such attachment fittings should be malleable iron or 
mild steel. Various Standard fixtures are shown in figs. 6 and 9. 





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Fig. 11. Low Girders: A Condition Common to Many Basement Gym- 
nasia. The above situation is the opposite of that shown in Fig. 10. The 
apparatus beam plan here shown would be necessary, also in a room having 
fiat concrete or false ceiling without projecting girders. 



24 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I 




1 1' the overhead construction 
is concrete or fireproof, the in- 
serts For supporting 
apparatus pipe, should be 
placed during construction. 
Such inserl should be 
malleable iron or mild 
For illustrations of our 
fixtun and 9. I;. 
situations as here represented, 
several lines of longitudinal 

ing pipes 
n> 1 or their equivalent, should 
be provided. 




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OI 



A 



fig. 12. Apparatus Pipe Beams foi [rregulai 01 Sloping Overhead con- 
struction. There -li<>nl<l be n<> slope or "pitch" to gymnasium ceiling girders 
h tin- type "t '"ii traction cannot be avoided, auxiliary beami i"i unpended 
apparatus, are Imperative. I in- requirement applied also to ampin 
•■.in which there are no projecting frirden 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PANY, PROVf DENCE, R. I, 



25 



The drop or vertical pipes, 
by which the suspended frame 
is secured to the overhead 
cons-ruction, should consist of 
standard 2-in. pipe. 

The longitudinal lines are 

J~ clamped to and below the 

^j cross pipe lines. For stand- 

q ard fittings and detai's, see 

|— sketch "E" Fig. 9. If the truss 

Hor girder spacings excee.1 

18 ft., intermediate supports 

("A") are necessary for all 

longitudinal lines. 

In concrete or fireproof overhead girder construction, malleable iron ver- 
tical supporting pipes ("X''), should be placed during construction. Such 
supports should be spaced (laterally) from 8 ft. to 10 ft. apart. 




va 




Fig. 13. Apparatus Pipe Frame for Double Gallery Construction. The 
ends of all pipe lines should extend and be attached to the face of tha track 
or upper gallery, thus providing necessary rigidity. 



:t si = = i:-:s5E" ■'-:- *. e ::v=is< ==:. >:'.:: - 




i 






j_r 111 




: x r 









NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I, 27 




mezzanine: and gallery floor 




OECTION-A-A- 



Fig. 14B. This Gymnasium Represents the Smallest Size Advisable. 
Running tracks are not recommended in rooms less than 50 feet wide. 



28 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 




NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 29 



II. RUNNING TRACK. 

The indoor Running Track has been slowly evolved from the 
path marked out on the gymnasium floor of the seventies, to the 
banked "galley track of today. The narrow gallery, usually not 
wider than 3 or 4 feet, with narrow, canvas-covered running path, 
has been gradually superseded by wider galleries with concave 
floors, covered with cork linoleum. 

The proper Incline, or Bank, is secured by placing curved sleep- 
ers on the rough floor of the gallery and flooring over them, thus 
forming a Concave Incline. The curvature of the sleepers, and 
their location, depend on the radius at the ends (or corners), of 
the track and the required speed. 

SHAPE. The shape of most of the earlier track galleries (in 
plan) was rectangular with rounded corners of short radii. As the 
limitations of such tracks became apparent, the radii of corner 
curves were gradually lengthened until the present standard of ef- 
ficiency was reached in tracks having true semi-circular ends (see 
Fig. 16). Elliptical (as compared with semi-circular) ends leave 
a slightly larger free room area for apparatus and games, but for 
maximum speed, safety and effect on the runner, the semi-cir- 
cular end tracks are superior. 

WIDTH. The width of the room should determine the 
width of the gallery. The following table shows the general rule. 



Width .of Room 






Width 


of Gallery 


40 


feet 








4 


feet 


6 ins. 


45 


tt 








5 


« 


6 ins. 


50 


a 








6 


ie 




55 


" 








6 


it 


6 ins. 


GO 


'( 






7 to 


8 


" 




65 


a 






8 to 


10 


it 




*T7nless full 


width 


cover 


is pr 


of erred. 









Cov 


er Width 


4 


feet 


4 


" 6 ins 


5 


(( 


5 


/" 6 " 


to. 7 


it 


to 9 


<( 



Tracks less than 5 feet wide are now rarely constructed. They 
do not fulfill modern requirements and are therefore not recom- 
mended. The gallery widths given in the table are to be considered 
maximum and should not be exceeded except in special cases. The 
cover widths indicated apply more particularly to galleries having 
railings set on top of the track floor. If the railing is attached to 
the face or front of the gallery, the width of the cover may be 6 
inches wider than the figures given in the table. 



30 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY. PROVIDENCE. R. I 




: | ical Narragansett Machine Co. Track Plan. I heat 

->..:■■ tad eo— traction of the gallery. We all furnish banking plans show - 

.rvature and location of all c . 

:-tail 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. 



31 




32 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDFNCE, R. I. 




I •_. it. Typical Track Section. Note space between - 
railing; also recessed under-galiery light. 



GALLERY SUPPORT. Galleries should be supported 
either by wall brackets or by rods from overhead beams. Bracl 
should be carefully planned to secure ample strength and pn 
spacing. At points where the brackets are anchored, the walls should 
be laid up in Portland cement. Brackets should be so designed and 
located as to leave a clear wall space of not less than 8 feet above 
the floor. 

[{ rod- instead of brackets are used, such rods should not form 

a part of the- gallery rail. The rail and the supporting rods should 

d hut there should be sufficient space between same 

to prevent accident in case a runner slides his hand along the rail 

.■. 17.1 The relative merits of inclined as 

compared to vertical supporting rods must he decided according t<> 

local conditions. Unless a track 1- unusually narrow, the value 

inclined rods i- more apparent than real. If inclined rods 

ry, the face of the gallery, as well a- the complete gallery 

frame, must be firmly anchored to the walls. For mam, reasons 

Lipporl fulfills gymnasium requirements better than rods. 

'J hat principle is therefor* I) recommended. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 45 




TRACK FLOOR PLAN 




a ACTION -A-A- 



Fig. 23B. A Visitor's Gallery (as in fig. 29) may be substituted for the 
Running Track. 



46 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE. R. I, 



V. LOCKER ROOMS. 

Every building, every institution is a law unto itself in the 
matter of space and arrangement for locker facilities. Unless 
individual needs and modifying condition- are very carefully 
studied, in advance, the results will most likel) prove inadequate. 
Structural requirements in general may he stated as follows: 

All locker room- should he located a- close as possible to the 
general entrance of the building (or department) as consistent with 
ssary demands for privacy, supervision, etc 'Ilk- avenues of 
approach should he convenient and direct as possible. All locker 
rooms should be close to the main gymnasium, and should be on 
the same floor with hath-, toilet rooms and natatorium. 

The size of various locker rooms -must be determined to meet 
local requirements. They should have good natural light and 
ventilation. The most convenient shape for the room is rectangular 
or a- nearly so as possible. Locker rooms should be free as 
ble from columns, posts, projecting pilasters and similar 
obstructions. If below grade, the floors should be of concrete 
with carpet, linoleum or equivalent covering for aisles. Wood 
floors are satisfactory if the locker rooms are above grade. 

Wall- should be smooth finished and as free as possible from 
such obstructions as radiator-, water and steam pipes, electric 
-witch cabinets, etc. Windows should he 6 feet or more ah 
the floor; the}' should have jlorcntine or frosted glass, and pro- 
vision for opening same (for ventilation) without violating 
locker room privacy. 

ilings should he at leasl to or u feet high. Bottoms of 
projecting beams should be not less than S feet above the floor. 

Radiators or heating coils should he located on wall- between 
windows, (6 feet 6 inches minimum above the Boors), or attached 
to the ceiling. Steam risers should be well covered to a height 

of 6 DOVe the floor. 

Floor radiators should he wall recessed and the openings well 

tied. 
Good ventilation withoul drafts must he provided. 
All electric lights should be attached to the ceiling. They should 
be located < \ er the centers of aisl 
To estimate the approximate number of lockers the aver 

■ ommodate, divide the net floor aria by 2 i 2 for double 

tier, and hv 5 for single tier 1 This rule i- based <>n lockerfl 

wide by [2 inches deep, and allows required aisle sp 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 47 



A. DIVISION OF LOCKER SPACE. Modern methods 
require a division of a total locker space into specialized rooms 
located, arranged and equipped to meet the particular needs of 
each general group. The usual scheme of division for various 
institutions is as follows : 

SPECIAL ROOMS. 

High Schools, Colleges and Universities. 

(See Figs. 27, 24 and 22.) 

For Men For Women 

* Attendant's room * Attendant's room 

General room General room 

Home Team room Individual Dressing rooms 

Visiting Team room Hair drying space or room 
Faculty room 



*Other forms of supervision frequently obviate the need for attendants' rooms 
in High Schools. 

Y. M. C. A.'s and Y. W. C. A.'s. 

(See Figs. 28 and 29.) 

Attendant's room Attendant's room 

General room General room 

Business Men's room Individual Dressing rooms 

(with club room) Hair drying space or room 
Boys' room 
Visiting Team room 
Limited or Special Membership room 

Municipal, Social Center and Church Gymnasia. 

(See Fig. 26.) 
For Men For Women 

Attendant's rdom Attendant's room 

General room General room 

Visiting Team room Individual Dressing rooms 

Hair drying space or room 
Present sanitary standards demand clean gymnasium suits. 
Many, especially large institutions, consider a laundry a part of 
the regular equipment- Where laundering is handled by outside 
laundries, a laundry dryer at least will prove advantageous. 

B. DIFFERENT TYPES OF LOCKER EQUIPMENT. 

There are at present three recognized locker schemes or types of 
equipment, which, considered briefly, are as follows : 

1— "REGULAR" (individual). (See Fig. 14). 

This is the oldest and probably the largest type. It means simply 



48 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE CO M PA N Y. PR OV I DE NC E. R. I . 



- . AT 





i! L-j LL ^ ^^ g 



__ 



! 



BASEMENT PLAN 
A 



-A 




FIRST FLOOR F>I_A 



Outline oi Building for Both Men and Women. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVI DENCE, R. I. 49 









r 




A 










V^J 


























\\l 


1 1 




TRU5SES 


AND 




\ 




l\ 




TRU55 


BR "iCINGi 








1 V' 














E> 




WIRE 


GUARD/? 


1/ 




M EXAM. OR. 






£ SPECTATORS 2 
CkAWl-ERV | 
o 


r' 


ESSING ■ ' rm 


|U DRET.SJINC5 






EE 


- 




-r 


1=|| OR 


WJO.' ROOM 


rs; 




■ 1 


* 


=1 




4= 




ROOM \OQjU 




^ 






















» 





















L_ 



TRACK FLOOR PLAN 




SECTION -A-A- 



Fig. 24B. Arranged for the Requirements of Small Schools or Colleges. 
With the addition of an assembly room this layout may be expanded to.- 
serve as a community center. 



50 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY. PROVIDENCE. R. I 



a pe: individual 1 

partment pn ges. S rs may be equipped with attac 

mbinat: or combination pad' 

:he particular reouiremt 
J— CHECK R 3 - - rig. 

5 1 Locker ro 

m, there are no permar. -igned or 

ich mem am clothing is stored in a small 

fibre box :ked on - - gin the 

lidi must be especially planned for this purpose. 
Each member on entering the department proceeds to the atten- 
dant's counter, and. on identification, is given his box or b 
and the key to a vacant locker, which he uses only during his stay in 
the department. L« m require a depth of 

inches. On leaving the department, he returns his box and locker 
:o the attendant, whose duty it is to see that each suit is 
laundered or at least dried after each using. Thus it will be seen, 
only enough lockers are required to accommodate the E 
number of individuals using the department at the same time. 
The K:. 5; -tern requires the smallest actual locker space. 

the largest attendants t storage) room of ar If all 

locker rooms cannot be served from a common attendant's or 
storage room, a separate attendant and store room is required for 
each locker room. Unless each member is supplied with an 
individual combination padlock (the same one always using 
the i requires locker* having attached 

key lock most frequently used for boys and men, but may 

be employed also for girls and women. 

3 :.F SERVICE .or Box Lock - - g _- - 

Girls' Locker re- 
Like the K -cheme. this system also requires only a 
ient numbe- j to accommodate the maximum 
number of indr g the loc :i at the ::me. 

ntial di: 
that each member is provided with a small locker (\2 inches wide 

Ji. built in cal 
in which he keeps his box for 1 mtaining his gymn; 

11 locke- called b 

■ 
The •**« an ^ 



■ 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 51 



be single or double tier in height. The dressing lockers have no 
attached locks, but are fitted for padlocks. 

With the self service system each member on entering the 
department gets his box or basket from his box locker and takes 
same to any vacant dressing locker, which he locks with the same 
combination padlock brought from his box locker. After exer- 
cising, bathing and dressing, he returns his box to his box locker, 
which he again locks with the combination padlock, thus having 
served himself and avoided the inconvenience of carrying a key 
during exercising, bathing and swimming. 

To enable an attendant (or night man) to remove the soiled 
gymnasium suits for laundering or drying, and for replacing same, 
without operating each individual combination lock, each cabinet 
of box lockers is provided with a master locking mechanism, 
whereby as many as 72 box locker doors may be unlocked or locked 
by the shifting of a single control lever. Attached to the inside 
of each box locker door, there is a signal device which the member 
automatically shifts in opening the door. In this manner, the 
attendant on making his rounds, sees at a glance just which box 
lockers contain used clothing requiring his attention. On returning 
each cleaned suit, the attendant sets each signal to "unused" posi- 
tion and by means of the master locking device, again locks all 
doors, ready for use the next day. If a clean towel is replaced with 
each clean suit, towel service is accomplished without the means 
of a towel clerk. The self service plan is more expensive to install 
but more economical in operation than the check room system. 





cfff 




□ 
□ 
□ 
□ 
□ 

□ 
□ 
□ 


S i 
3 

X 

o 

in i 
v. 


I 

I 






1 74 

I 

I 


BOX 

1 

1 


LC 


cv 


;ERS 

r 
i 

1 


) 

) 






i 
I 


5 4- BOX LOCKERS. 


a 
□ 

□ 
□ 

□ 
□ 
□ 
□ 
□ 



4-2 PRESSING LOCKERS. 



I8S BOX LOCKERS. 



nnininnnnnDDDiDDDDaDiDDiDDDinDininnnnninl 

Fig. 25. A Self Service Equipped Locker Room. 468 Box Lockers and' 
42 Single Tier Dressing Lockers. This space would accommodate 120 ordi- 
nary one-tier Lockers, — 240 two-tier. 



52 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PPOVIDENCE. R. I, 




Fl ROT FLOOf? FLAN 



I Building Scheme for Large Community Ontn m Playground 

I House 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 53 




SECOND FLOO^ PI 



Fig. 26B. The Buildings are Arranged to Screen and Afford Control for 
the Open Air Swimming Pool 



54 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PAN Y, PROVI DENCE. R. I. 

C STANDARD LOCKER SIZES. 

There is no fixed size of lockers for any particular group. 
Lockers are made in 16 standard sizes. The following table in- 
dicates the locker sizes most commonly furnished tor various 
groups : 



5ID. L0CKER5IZG5 






GROUPS 


) 






DOUBLE TIER, 


B0Y5 


YOUNG 
MEN 


MHLETIC 
TEAMS 


BUS NES 

MEN 


6IRL5 


WOMEN 




12x12*36' 


— 


— 






— 






12*15*36" 


— 


— 






— 






I5*I2*3G" 




— 






™ 






lb .- ;5 *5&" 




— 






«- 






12*12*42" 




— 






— 


— 




12 * 15x42" 




— 






— 


— 




15*12*42" 




— 






— 


— 




15 * '5 *42 - 




— 






— 


— 




SINGLE TIER. 




I2*I2*SC" 
















12 ..15x60" 
















15 * 12 *GO" 




— 


— 


— 




— 




I5*I5*G0" 




• — 


— 


— 




— 




12* 12*72" 






— 


— 




— 




12*15*72" 






— 


— 




— 




15*12*72" 






— 


— 




— 




5 .15*72" 






— 


— 




— 





NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 55 



The wide range of sizes here indicated for each group is due 
to the various combinations of space and financial limitations. 
Without these limitations, and except for boys' use, probably no 
double tier lockers would ever be selected. 

Advisable aisle widths vary with varying situations. Between 
cabinets composed of lockers 12 inches wide, the aisle should never 
be less than 3 feet 6 inches. Wider lockers (having wider doors), 
require proportionately wider aisles. For average conditions a uni- 
form aisle width of 4 feet 6 inches or 5 feet is recommended. 

Aisles used as passage ways (not as dressing space) should not 
be less than 4 feet wide. Aisles serving both as passage ways and 
dressing space should be at least 6 feet wide. 

Long benches (supported by special iron pedestals), permanently 
attached to the floor, have proven more satisfactory than portable 
benches or stools. However, portable stools are preferable for 
faculty and business men's rooms. Aisles 6 feet wide or more will 
accommodate two parallel benches. The space between benches 
arranged in this manner and the fronts of lockers should be not 
less than 18 inches. Aisles less than 6 feet wide will take only 
one central bench. Bench seats or boards should be from 7 inches 
to 8 inches wide with a height of 16 or 17 inches above the floor. 

D. WOMEN'S (LOCKER ROOM) DRESSING ROOMS. 

Locker rooms for women should be provided with individual dress- 
ing rooms. They should be about 4 feet by 4 feet square and never 
less than 3 feet 6 inches by 3 feet 6 inches. Each individual dress- 
ing room should be provided with clothing hooks, a seat or stool, 
and a door, though curtains will sometimes serve instead of doors. 
The number of such dressing rooms should depend upon the size 
of the largest class to be handled. For classes averaging forty, 
there should be at least twenty dressing rooms ; one for each 
member is ideal. Dressing rooms connected with individual shower 
baths are preferable when such arrangement is possible. (See 
Fig. 23). 



56 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY. PROVIDENCE, R. 



k~- _I 1 -*^ H • J- I 

-ju » n »»mt it ni i ■■» ii 



1=3 



esi 



_ 



1 

< 
t 















B 

o 



I 






' 










§1 





J_^J. 









^L___ 



Department of Physical Training for Large High S 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. 



57 




__ _. 

z 



& 



TRACK AND QALLERY PLAN. 




^ETCJiQN - AA- 



Fig. 27B. The Boys' Locker Room Illustrates the Check Room,— or 
Kansas City, — Plan: the Self Service System is Shown on the Girls' Side. 



58 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 



VI. BATHS. 

A. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. The only type of bath 
here considered is the shower. Tub baths are obsolete. Turkish 
baths are advisable in some institutions, but the electric light cabi- 
net has largely supplanted the steam and hot rooms. 

As a rule, a separate bath room must be provided for each 
group of individuals for which a separate locker room is needed. 
If gymnasium attendance and bathing privileges can be limited 
to one group or class of individuals at a time, one bath room may 
serve for more than one group. 

Each bath room should be located with regard to the locker 
room it serves and the entrance to the Natatorium. The best 
arrangement is to have the shower room open direct from its 
locker room, serving as a connection between the locker room 
and the Natatorium. (See Figs. 7 and 28). The next best is 
the shortest possible distance from both its particular locker room 
and the Natatorium. Bath rooms should be so located as to receive 
outside light and ventilation through windows or skylights. It is 
a great mistake to put baths in whatever dark, misfit space is left 
over. They merit the careful planning necessary to make them 
light, attractive and sanitary. All bath rooms should be entirely 
closed; otherwise steam and moisture will permeate locker and 
other rooms. 

No single rule for bath room size is possible. It depends on 
individual requirements. An open room will accommodate more 
showers and bathers than one with a stall for each shower. Except 
for women, and possibly a few for business men, the stall arrange- 
ment is unnecessary and is being discarded. If possible, have a 
drying room (furnished with seat and towel hooks), between the 
locker and shower room. There should be no seats in the shower 
rooms. 

Bath rooms should embody only those appointments and 
characteristics which are conducive to cleanliness. Floors, walls 
and ceiling should be finished white, for which the best materials 
are tile, glazed brick and marble, the floor tile having an effective, 
non-slip finish. Many serious accidents have resulted from falls 
on wet, soapy, smooth finished tile floors. Instead of the ordinary 
central floor drain, arrange the pitch of the floor so the water will 
drain from the center of the floor toward the walls, at which 
intersection there should be narrow drain troughs or gutters. If 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 59' 



properly developed, this plan will be found far superior to a. 
central floor drain. 

The lower sills of all windows should be at least 6 feet above 
the floor. Unless wood trim is exceptionally well treated and 
covered it will soon swell and rot. For this reason, as little wood 
as possible should be used in bath rooms. Metal window frames 
and sash, metal door frames and metal covered doors are relatively 
expensive, but deserve investigation before selecting wood. It 
should be possible to open windows for ventilation without violat- 
ing bath room privacy. Radiators and heating coils, if exposed,, 
should be placed on the walls 6 feet or more above the floor, or 
attached to the ceiling. The certainty of rapid rusting, of exposed 
radiators and other ordinary pipe and fittings, constitute a very 
good reason for the adoption of some heating method which does 
not require exposed radiators in the bath rooms. 

All metal shower fixtures should be brass, with nickel or polished 
finish. Porcelain valve handles usually break and cause trouble. 
If possible, no parts of the showers should be exposed except the 
head and valve controls. This treatment requires a pipe space 
behind shower room walls large enough to permit inspection and 
repair of enclosed parts. If water pipes must be exposed, they 
should extend from the ceiling (or overhead) down to the point 
of control, instead of up from the floor. Shower control handles 
are usually located too low. They should be set about chest height 
above the floor. 

For the great majority of institutions, the individual control of 
water temperature by each bather is more satisfactory and practical 
than by a central or master control system operated by an at- 
tendant. There are many arguments for and against single control, 
anti-scalding valves. Where such valves are not used, the water 
heating plant should be provided with one of the several devices 
whereby water~ above a safe bathing temperature cannot enter the* 
main or feed pipes supplying the individual showers. With such 
provision, the use of ordinary bath tub valves is safe. Shower 
heads of the "rain" variety use more water but do not clog as 
quickly and easily as the "needle" type. The outlet face of all 
shower head should be detachable for cleaning and the removal 
of sediment accumulation. Shower heads with swivel or ball 
joint connections are' unnecessary (at least for men and boys) 
and are sure to leak. 

The question of hot water supply heaters, etc., are technical 
matters and should be handled by specialists. 



60 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I, 






(&OXIOO 



' u AUXILIARY 

| O GYMNASIUM 







LEADtR.5' 
EX.ERCISE V ROOM 



GVMNA6IUM FLOOR PLAN 




I - A. Suggested Physical Department Layout for a Large Y M. C. A. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I 61 




A J 



LOCKED FLOOR PLAN- 



em 



titi iuh. 



Lffl_ffl_£^ 



t 



•jg^fflULJ&jM 






J ^ ifm.114^ ^y 



SECTION -A-A- 



Fig. 28B. For comparative purposes, the recognized three distinct locker 
systems are here shown; Business Men, — Regular (individual); General Room, 
—Self Service; Boys' Room, — Check Room Plan. 



62 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE. R. I. 



B. WOMEN'S SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS. Small in- 
dividual shower rooms are necessary tor girls and women. They 
should be about 4 feet riding 

5 of communicating rooms. I See Figs. 23 and 27 

Valves for controlling such enclosed showers should Ix 
on one of the sides or partitions, about che-t height above the 
floor. Also the I showers for women should be adjustable 

or set at an angle so the bather stands in front of. rather than 
under the shower. This is necessary to keep the bather's hair 

VII. NATATORIUM. 
Here again is the call for sunlight and cleanliness. If possible, 
locate the Xatatorium out from under the rest of the buil 
with a skylight roof, or if it must be under another floor, place 
it on the sunny side of the building. One of the most gratifying 
:lopments in gymnasium construction is the large percentage 
of sunlit swimming pools. Many buildings may be arranged with 
a large central light court which, though the Xatatorium be in the 
lent, allows a large skylight area over a good portion of the 
pool. The growing popularity of aquatics is indicated by the 
increasing number of swimming pools having commodious - 
tators' galleries. 

In point of location, proximity to all bath rooms is essential. 
Except for spectators, there should be no way to get into the 
Xatatorium other than through a shower room. A thorough bath 
should precede every swim. There should be no baths in the 
Xatatorium. 

The size of the pool proper is practically standardized at 'x> 

long by 20 feet to 30 feet wide. A larger pool is sometimes 

-able while a pool less than 40 feet long U t<><» short for practical 

The Xatatorium (or room in which the swimming j">. .1 

is located) should be not less than 1 2 ger and 10 feet wider 

than the >ize of the DOoL 1 See Fig. 301. A dear 

een the • spring board i end of the pool 

and the wall at that end of the room, with a uniforn 
[O feet wide around the other three sides closely approxin 
the ideal. 
The ceiling > <.r beam) height should be not less than U t 

eiling high enough to ac ite a sp llery and 

such gallery, are both advisable. I'll' the 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. €3 



odoriferous pool in a dark, damp room with an oppressively low 
ceiling, is past. 

The Natatorium requirements for white tile floors, walls, and 
ceiling are identical with those of the shower rcom, previously 
described. Here again, the floor tile must be of the non-slip 
finish. The rule for window and radiator heights and their treat- 
ment is also the same as for shower rooms. Floor radiators 
should be recessed into, and flush with walls, with all such wall 
openings carefully screened. If exposed radiators cannot be 
avoided, they should be located on the walls (not less than 6 feet 
above the floor), or on the ceiling. Exposed steam risers should 
be carefully covered to a height of 6 feet above the floor. All 
projecting corners should be given a generous round. 

The floor around the pool should have only sufficient pitch to 
carry off the water which would otherwise accumulate. The 
direction of drainage is preferably toward the walls (away from 
the pool) to a narrow drain trough or gutter, as suggested in con- 
nection with shower room drainage. If possible, there should 
be no elevated curb around the pool. 

The necessity for unusually heavy water proofed concrete con- 
struction for the pool bottom and walls is generally well under- 
stood. An open space or tunnel all around outside the Avails of 
the pool will prove valuable for various reasons. The pool should 
be lined with white tile or glazed brick. All around the walls 
and slightly above water level, there should be a recessed scum 
or drain trough, molded into the heavy porcelain tile sections 
specially constructed for this purpose. (See Figs. 30 and 31). 
The bottom of this drain trough should have frequent (screened) 
connections with a good-sized drain pipe connecting with the 
sewerage system. This trough should also be deep enough to pre- 
vent the contents of same being washed back into the pool. 

The deepest point of the pool should be from 2 to 3 times the 
distance of the spring board overhang, — in from the wall at the 
deep end, which, in a 60 foot pool usually amounts to from 12 
to 15 feet with the average closer to 12 feet. (See Fig. 30). The 
shorter the pool, the farther back the board may be set with a 
correspondingly shorter distance between the deep point and 
the wall at the end. The depth of water usually averages from 
3 feet 6 inches or 4 feet at the shallow end to 8 feet at the deepest 
point, with a depth of about 6 feet at the deep end wall. 



64 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 




BASEMENT FLAN 




FIR5T FLOOR FLAN 



Fig. 29. The Above Sketches are Designed to Show Typical Y. W. C. A. 
Requirements. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I 



G5 




MEZZANINE FLOOR PLAN 



CLASS R O O Mi 

AND 
DORMITORIES I 

— 'XJ 




S E C T I O N A- A 



Fig. 29B. We Furnish Suggested Apparatus Lists and Equipment Plans 
adapted to any of the Gymnasia Represented in this Book. See pages 
72 and 73. 



66 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 




SECTION 





Uj 





= 










i: 


















« 


^5-5- 


►5- 


-5' -2 


z~ 






























PCX 


)l_ 










£5* 


<oO 






















1 


























: 






c 

















SECTION 



PLAN 



Fig. 30. Various Natatorium Details. Spring Board anchors Bhould be 
Bet when the concrete floor is poured. Note direction lines on the bottom 
an 1 on end walls, and the distance margins on the side walls of the Pool. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVI DENCE, R. I. 67 



Direction and warning lines (see Fig. 30) formed by black tile 
or other good contrasting color, should run lengthwise the bottom 
of the pool. Along the side margins of the pool, there should 
be distinct depth readings in different colored tile, every five feet. 
Also for competitive swimming purposes it is convenient to mark 
the sides of the pool just above the water in yards or feet, starting 
at the deep end. 

In each corner of the pool (or at least at each end) and at- 
tached to the side walls, there should be a strong brass ladder 
with flat brass scored treads ; or a series of recessed openings 
in specially formed tile, to serve instead of brass ladder. 

The length of the standard spring board, for pools in general, 
is 10 feet 6 inches. (See Fig. 31). The official Intercollegiate 
Spring Board is shown in Fig. 32. Strong floor attachment is 
effected by means of specially constructed anchors, set flush with 
the top of the finished floor. The board is bolted to the anchors 
with heavy brass machine bolts, by the removal of which the 
board may be easily taken away for special occasions. All exposed 
metal parts of the board are brass. (Any exposed iron fittings 
will rust and stain the pool.) The spring board anchors require 
a floor thickness of 8 inches. They should always be secured in 
advance and carefully set according to plan, when the floor is 
poured. 

An overhead swimming instruction cable, or track, with trolleys 
for suspended belts (to support beginners), is a valuable piece of 
equipment. (See Fig. 33). 

Another recent development is the so-called Shepherd's Crook — 
a very effective life-saving device, — surer than throwing a life 
preserver. It consists of a long, light pole, to one end of which 
is fitted a hook large enough to go around the body. The length 
of the pole (usually 14 feet) should be a little longer than half 
the width of the pool. If the pool is not accessible from both 
sides, a jointed or extension pole is necessary. 

The installation of a trapeze or rings -over the water is not 
advisable. The circumstances under which they are used involve 
too great an element of danger. However, where such equipment 
is required, the demands for overhead attachment facilities are 
the same as previously covered under the heading of attachment 
for suspended apparatus from the ceiling or beams in the main 
gymnasium. A fountain cuspidor should be recessed into one 
or both end walls of the Natatorium. 



€8 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMF EVIDENCE. R.I 




6 in. 




Fig- 31. Standard Natatorium Spring Board. The Board «houM be 
;. time to permit the •etting of the anchors when the concrete floor 
is poured. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I, 



69 




SECTION -A-A 
Anchors are set 6 in. deep. Floor should be 8 in. thick. 







t"C>\.0 




Ml 


V,0-,c' 



Fig. 32. Official Intercollegiate Spring Board. The use of this board re- 
quires a clear ceiling height of 12 feet minimum. 



70 fVARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE. R. 



Architects have at hand or can secure necessary information 
:iy handle such technical matters as hoi water SUpply, 

heaters, filters, sterilization, etc. The demand for clean, trans- 
parent water IS SO general that the use of filtered water should 

not be questioned. A filtration or refiltration system is recom- 
mended as part of standard equipment. In the long run it is 
usually an economy. Water sterilized by the Ultra Violet Raj 

process and cleaned by circulation through a refiltering plant. 
produces the finest result- to date. At all hazards, swimming 
pool water should he clean and safe at all time-. In this day 
and age, unsanitary, bacteria-laden water amounts to almost crimi- 
nal negligence. Any institution which dee- not keep its swimming 
pool clean, should be closed and investigated by the hoard of 
Health as a probable source of disease and infection. Unless an 
adequate system for refiltration of the pool water i- in-tailed. <;;/</ 
effectively operated, swimming pool water should he changed 
once a week. In case of failure of filtration system, the following- 
treatment will keep the water safe and free from a dang< 
percentage of bacteria: one pound of chloride of lime i one-third 
available) to every forty thousand gallons (five thousand cubic 
feet i or one-quarter pound to each average foot of depth in a 
ot 1>\ ho foot pool. The less sunshine reaching the pool, the 
higher will be the percentage of bacteria. 

I nless the overhead beams are unusually high, electric lights 
should be attached to, or suspended from the ceiling. The use 
of indirect or semi-indirect lighting fixtures will greatly increase 
the attractiveness of the lighting system. Tn rooms having 
mezzanine galleries projecting from the walls, it will probably 
be necessary to have additional lights on the under side of such 
-all eric-. 

VIII. TOILET ROOMS. 

The only consideration of this subject here necessary Is to u 
that a sufficient number be- supplied. There should lie an adequate 
t<»ilet room closely connected with each separate locker and bath 
room. A general toilet, (usually one for each sex) will be found 
sary for most gymnasium buildings. 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVI DENCE, R. I. 



71 



T 



%ZZ>27Z7eS727^ 






L 



^"O^y 




SECTION 






; r 






\ 

ft 

V. 

L 



._jj 



\/ 

' A 



_L_. 



PLAN 



Fig. 33. Swimming Instruction Belt on Cable. The bost is made of heavy 
•webbing and fitted with shoulder straps. The pulleys which ride the cable 
and support the control rope, are brass. A turn buckle supplies necessary 
tension to the galvanized cable. 



Rigid Track for Swimming Belts. An elliptical steel track, instead of the 
straight cable, is preferred by many Instructors. The track is usually "I" 
beam in section; the size corresponds in general to that of the Pool. Such 
tracks are not furnished as an item of Gymnasium equipment. Each one 
must be made to fit the particular requirements of each Pool and should be 
handled as part of the building. 



12 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY. PROVIDENCE, R. I. 




SPECIAL PLAN'S AXD LH~S 



Th 5] :ial Plans embody the veral y 

in r and although they are gotten up at 

ill furnish them 
that our clai >f our appa 

eration. They enable the matter 

e place re a 

.11 dim- 
tilery and railing, the location c 

e arch it 

■ 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 73 




74 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PAN Y, PROVI DENCE. R. I. 




NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 75 




STANDARD 

ONE-TIER 

LOCKERS 

The regular lockers used in 
connection with the Standard 
Box Lockers as Dressing 
Lockers. 

A Box Locker Cabinet o£ 
the same size would have six 
times as many lockers. 



STANDARD 

BOX 

LOCKERS 

Have twelve times as many 
Lockers as the one-tier locker, 
or six times as many lockers 
as the two-tier locker it ie 
used in connection with. 




76 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COM PAN Y. PROVI DENCE. R. I 



INDEX 



Baths, Room 

I.- cation . . 

structii >n 

Fixtures 

itl provision for women 

( iymnasium Building 
( ieneral arrangement 



pn per 

Apparat md plan • 

- tape, heights 

Structural details 

r 

Walls 

Windows and dour- , 

Radi; t< >rs . 

Drinking Fountains and Cuspidors 

ilings and ( >\ erhead Beams .............. 

Height above floor 

tion of . . ......•-....•••• 

Simple, "open" construction ••... 

Apparatus attachment fixtures ■ ■ • • 

Concrete and fireproof ceilings and beam! 

requirements 

1 ) libit- Gallery 

jectionable ventilating ducts 

A r.i icial lighting 



iary Gymnasium Rooms 

. x pparatus R< > >m 

Boxing, wrestling and i 5 .... 

1 >ir< nd Examinat:< n r- i >ms 

Hand Ball Courts 

Special Exer< ise room 



1 ocker Room- 

Location, size, interior c nstruction 

Locker capacity . . . . • ■ ■ • 

Room classification 

Lo Jeer sizes 

■ ker plans and price- 

Various Locker systems •••• 



■ iuin 

.• ion, structural I 

Cial lighting 

dard Size 

• dard depths 

Direction lines and distance markings 

mi trough 

Lad '■.'■ 

rd 

Swimming instruction bell 

I re] 

■ • 






3-4 



4-1 | 




4-5 


5-25 


5-7 


7-i-' 


10 


11 


1 1 


[2-25 


4 


[2-10, 


12-14 


[8-19 


[Q 


4- I-' 


[9 






42"43 


43 


19, -I-' 


39 


46 


46 


47 


54 


77> 


50 5 1 


62-71 




fc 






63 


''7 


(,7 


67 





Illu>. 

61 



6 



13-M 

15. 21 

20-24 



6, 32, 33 



52, 5 

40 
4<\ 56, 6i 



56, "i 









fig 


(58, 






71 



7" 



NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY, PROVIDENCE, R. I. 77 



Running Track 

General description , 

Gallery for track 

Height above main floor 

Support . . 

Widths 

Construction . . ....... 

Railing . . 

Under-Gallery lights . . . 
Concave track floor ..... 
Cover 

Toilet Rooms . . ............ 



Text 


Illus. 


Page 


Page 


29-38 


28 


29 




33 


6 


32 


32, 33 


29 




34-38 


32, 33, 34, 36 


36-37 


32, 33 


38 


32, 33 


38 


30, 37 


38 





70 



52 



NOTE. 



The Building Sketches presented 
herewith are not architects' plans. 
They are intended to convey sugges- 
tions based on our many years of con- 
tact with the progress of Gymnasium 
Buildings. 



78 NARRAGANSETT MACHINE COMPANY. PROVIDENCE, R. I 




